Luke 4: 31-44 Cure of a Demoniac

Luke 4: 31-44 Cure of a Demoniac

Jesus then went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, "Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region. After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Poor Jesus. As he makes his way through the various towns of the area he is met with amazement for his words and with more than amazement for his deeds. Everywhere he goes people want something from him – a cure for themselves or for somebody they love. Even Peter is not immune. He asks for help on behalf of his mother-in-law. Jesus responds generously, curing many but he also keeps his eye on his main mission which is to declare to all the “good news” of the reign of God. He has a task to perform on this earth and even though he reacts with love and compassion to all he meets he understands that he and he alone can do the job he has been given by God and that it is vitally important.